Bosnian Children's Poetry: "Embroidered Bridge" (1965) Nasiha Kapidzic - Hadzic

Photo: http://architectureimg.com/bridge-peaceful-lake-sky-water-trees-nature-red-beautiful-reflection-river-stones-pond-calm-photos/bridge-peaceful-lake-sky-water-trees-nature-red-beautiful-reflection-river-stones-pond-calm-free-wallpapers/

As elementary school children, we had to memorize a lot of poems. One that I remember very dearly is Nasiha Kapidzic - Hadzic's 1956 poem the Embroidered Bridge. I have attempted to translate it so that maybe you could enjoy it as well. Let me know what you think! The English version is below the original!


VEZENI MOST
Gradimiru
Kad jednom dođeš u grad od lišća
Da budeš najdraži gost,
Vidjećeš kako obale travne
Na ruci drže most.
Most vezen žicom svilenom, tankom,
U sedam boja tkan;
Ogledalo mu zelena rijeka,
A ukras sunčan dan.
Vjetar ga njiše kao voda čamce
Svezane u plićaku,
Rojevi svitaca nad njim se pale,
Pa blista u mraku.
A pod njim čudesni orkestar ljeta,
S dva cvrčka u duetu,
Oglašava se svake noći,
Ljepši od svih na svijetu.
Divnim ga šumorom slave vrbaci
Prepuni malih snova,
Niko nije pjevao ljepše
Od bijelih bagremova.
Kad nam dođeš najdraži gost
Da budeš najdraži gost,
Preći ćeš i ti korakom lakim
Vezeni, vitki most.

EMBROIDERED BRIDGE
To Gradimir
Once you arrive in the city of leaves
To be the most honoured guest
You will see how the grassy river banks hold a bridge in their hands

The bridge is embroidered in thin, silken strands
and weaved in seven colours
The green river is its mirror
And the sunny day is its embellishment

The wind sways it like the water sways the boats tied in shallow waters
Swarms of glowworms illuminate it
And it glows in in the dark

Underneath it, a wondrous summer orchestra
With a duet of two crickets
Heralds itself every night
And is the most beautiful in the world

Willows celebrate it with murmurs
Filled with tiny dreams
No one sang better
Than the white acacias

When you visit us to become the most cherished guest
With a light step you will cross

The embroidered, willowy bridge.

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